FJWTK Are you a diabetic? Can you help me please?

[FJ Steve]

to all my PSB friends....

Need a bit of advice.

I've been diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2. Bit of a bugger, but shit happens, and I have most of the battle won already. Blood pressure has come down a huge amount and is actually quite good now. Cholesterol is reported to be "fantastic" by the medical gurus. Seems I have to give up beer, full strength coke (but Coke Zero is ok ), and less crap food (so...some minor adjustments on the dietary front). I've lost 15kgs this year, and the dietician says 5 - 8kg to go. Piece o' piss. The good news? I can drink red wine, single malt (neat).

So, the dilemma?

I need to get a blood/glucose monitor. You know the type....small digi-readout machine that you use to read your blood sample (from a little skin pricking thingamajig). I have been researching on-line....but it's a bit of a minefield out there. Private health insurance covers me for about $150 to purchase a unit. I am going to register with NDSS in order to reduce costs in purchasing the sample strips (fark, they can be bloody expensive).

So...if you're a diabetic (Type 2) and regularly monitor your blood/glucose levels, what are you using? Is it any good? Comments? Suggestions?

[McGoo]

We use the Optium Exceed at work, made by Abbott Diabetes. It's the mos common one I have seen used by patients as well, and returns a reading in five seconds. No idea on costs though, or where to get one.

[kennyboy]

My ten yr old nephew got diagnosed last year after he almost died, I feel for you ai it's a massive life changer. Can't help on what units he uses But he has two different ones and man you go through those strips in no time.
Once you have gotten used to how your body reacts with the insulin and all the rest of your food and that you can treat yourself every now and again to the real coke and the like. It takes a bit of getting used to an I haven't even got it, I feel sorry for the poor little bugger. Anyway hope you get your head round it and take it in your stride. All the best bud

[Jamathi]

Steve take it to PM!

[FJ Steve]

Steve take it to PM as I have been diagnosed and have beaten it inside 6mnds.
Can give you all the info you need.
Your ACCU Check monitor will be issued free of charge plus lots of good help!

ok...inbox is waiting for the good info!

[kenty]

im a type 1, shit sucks, anywho yes ndss makes things cheaper and your life easier

as for a reader, they all do the same thing, so really go for something cheap as it isnt like one is really better than the other, in saying that i have an accu-check, they have great customer support, and hell they even gave me a freebie after having one registered with them for so long

[Barfridge]

Just watch out for friends making bad taste jokes about having your feet amputated

[Crisis averted]

I've got an Accu-check, I just never used it. Still got all of it's stuff and never been used, we can come to a good deal if you want.
cheers
Steve

[Jamathi]

NDSS gives these accucheck readers & softclicks for free and the swabs/needles are almost nothing as well.
if you are diagnosed than regular checking is a must, even if the readings are back to normal.
YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD REGISTER YOPU WITH THE NDSS SCHEME!
The follow up and after care is second to none.
Another broken promise by the RANGA is the slashing of the funding for NDSS after promising to an increase.
Just so she can pay for the United Nations BS "obligations"

[spyderman]

FJ Steve,
I'm a recently diagnosed Type2 (April), not yet being medicated as attacking it with diet & excercise. Dropped 8kgs with 11 more to go!! ( a bit hard when your on the road to 50). I use the Verio One Touch, cost me about $35 & once your registered with NDSS the strips are $7.40 per pack of 50. It's a nice compact little unit that's easy to work with.
With regard to watching what you eat/drink, keep the saturated fats & sugars ( refer packaging) to 10g/100 or less & you'll find ya sugars easier to manage, along with exercise. (Well it's working for me anyway.) My cholestrol has dropped & since April HbA1C levels have dropped back into the manageable range.
Eat lots & lots of vegetables & lots of green leafy wascally wabbit food which also helps to keep the sugar levels in order. Your on a winner with the Red wine, been told the drier the better if white wine is consumed. I'm stuggling with giving up the Bourbon tho, even mixed with Coke Zero, it's a "drink in moderation thing".
Once you get registered as a Diabetic, you'll get shitloads of information thrown at you. Only just found out recently from my Diabetic Counsellor that it must be reported to the Dept of Transport & you'll need to have a medical done by your GP to pass you as being AOK to hold an MVDL. DOH!!!

[FJ Steve]

Just watch out for friends making bad taste jokes about having your feet amputated

you'll have to explain that to me at the next diabetic friendly Bakery run.

[kenty]

Just watch out for friends making bad taste jokes about having your feet amputated

oh hai D:

[ReCon]

Meh- you bloody type 2's are all big girls! get a big hypo up yas and see what the real Diabetics cop!

Seriously, look after yaself as type 2's can actually get complications faster and often meaner than type 1's for some reason. Might be because a type 1 is used to handling the excess glucose more effectively perhaps...